At 2 p.m. Friday, the National Hurricane Center announced Tropical Depression 2 — the second one because they realized a subtropical one formed in the Atlantic in January — had become strong enough in the Gulf of Mexico to be named Tropical Storm Arlene on just the second day of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.
But, it's time is likely short, as the NHC said, "We still expect Arlene to weaken soon due to increasing wind shear and dry air," as it makes its way toward western Cuba, where it's expected to to degenerate into a remnant low on Saturday and dissipate by Sunday afternoon, with little to no impacts to Osceola County other than a little rain, which may not even be associated with Arlene. It just means outdoor weekend plans will need to be made with an eye to the sky.
Arlene has 40 mph maximum sustained winds extending 70 miles from the center, which Friday afternoon was located 240 miles west of Fort Myers. The center was moving south-southeast at about 7 mph.
Keep it right here at AroundOsceola.com for all the storm updates!
